If I had known it was a race to the top, I'd have bought better shoes!

As a preface, I'd like to say, "This is not a reprimand, but an observation. I am simply sharing an experience I've been having for quite some time."

It's ironic to hear Christian women competing with other women in a race to the top.  Which woman has a better husband, house, job, kids or body?  This, to me, has always been a strange and surreal activity.  Why do we feel the need to be "better"?  It's life, not a 5K.  I would have chosen to write marathon, but let's be real.....I'm not likely to run a marathon anytime soon.

When one woman tells of an accomplishment or of the accomplishments of their child or husband, why do we find it necessary to "one up" her?  Why can't we just let her have the moment?  Why does a strange flurry of responses begin, all starting with "well, my (fill in the blank - car, job, child, etc.)"?  Does anyone else find this strange or am I alone?  We even compete with illness or tragedy.  One person can come in and share her struggle with breast cancer and three others will tell how they suffered. Probably not the most encouraging thing to share for the woman who is struggling now.

Didn't Jesus call us to love each other and to encourage each other?  He's called us to find our value and strength in Him, hasn't He?  There will always be someone wiser, more beautiful or more accomplished in an area.  It's impossible nor is it required that we be the best looking, the most Godly, the most successful in our career AND the best mother.  God hasn't called us to be better than anyone else.   He's called us to be the best He's created us to be and for each of us this is different.  We have value simply because we exist.  We bring value to other women by our presence and by offering friendship.

I honestly believe women are experiencing fewer and fewer opportunities to be heard.  We have become so busy achieving, we have forgotten to "chill" with each other, share with each other and to cry and laugh together.  Often, unless I'm the only one, I feel guilty for taking time out with my friends as if I'm stealing time from someone else or "not producing".  I feel this way about other types of taking care of me also, but that's for another day.  I've shared this with close friends and some deal with this same sense of guilt and pressure.

Throughout the book of Acts in the bible (New Testament), the apostles encouraged, the people encouraged and then they encouraged again.  It was one big encourage each other "festival of love".  Let's be like Paul, Barnabus, Silas and the rest.  We can encourage often; the opportunities are endless.

Ladies, I will declare today - my value and worth does not and will not come from my career, my weight, my hair, my face, my beauty or lack thereof, my bank account or my possessions.  This will give me freedom to hear others.  I will practice listening to other women without offering advice, direction, information and especially without comparing myself to them!  I will offer grace and compassion to others.  I will ask God to help me daily see the need in the women I encounter daily and ask Him to give me the words to share.

I will need your help with this, friends; it will not be easy.  Please encourage me in my successes and cry with me in my failures.  Please remind me of my value and of who I am in Christ regularly.   I will commit to do the same for you.